WhizzMate – an interactive assistant to foreign travelers in Russia

WhizzMate, a Russian startup in the field of tourism and hospitality, launched a unique project – an interactive assistant to foreign travelers in Russia. The basis of the new mobile service is a round-the-clock concierge service and unlimited mobile communications and the Internet.

WhizzMate provides tourists with everything they might need during a trip to Moscow. For the duration of their stay, visitors may purchase a “package” of three important services: a smartphone with unlimited voice and data, a round-the-clock concierge service in the guest's language, and a selection of essential tourist services. Depending on the plans they choose, tourists may also get a preloaded “Troika” public transportation card, airport transfer, consultations of English-speaking doctors or lawyers (if needed), help restoring lost documents, free booking of cinema, theatre and museum tickets. In addition to the main tourist support WhizzMate helps to organize leisure activities – users of the service can get discounts on tours, coupons for free cocktails at Moscow's best bars and restaurants, as well as good offers for shopping in stores and boutiques.

The cost of the plan varies depending on the set of additional services. It is based on the needs and wishes of clients allowing travelers to choose a plan that best fits their needs, starting at $19 a day.

The founder of WhizzMate, Alex Khodorkovsky, hopes that his product will be very widely adopted: “What we offer tourists is, first and foremost, comfort and a sense of security. They will always be connected, have Internet access, and enjoy an opportunity to reach a friendly English-speaking operator around the clock; they will also be able to take advantage of numerous new and interesting services – all at the cost of one breakfast in a café. This kind of service is not offered anywhere in the world, and we are very proud to have international visitors in Russia be the first to experience it”.

Now the service is available only for English-speaking foreigners, but future plans include attracting representatives speaking German, Spanish, Japanese, and other languages popular among Russia’s visitors.